MCLE Project presentation at PME-NA 2019 in St. Louis, MO
The Impact of Mathematically Captivating Learning Experiences
Research suggests that secondary students often do not have positive experiences with mathematics. To address this challenge, this research report shares findings of a design-based research project in which researchers and teachers use a mathematical story framework to design and test mathematically captivating lesson experiences (“MCLEs”) for high school students. On average, students reported improved experiences in MCLEs, as compared to randomly-selected lessons that were taught in the same class. This impact is strongest for students already captivated by mathematics, but does not differ by gender. The MCLEs also impacted the aesthetic experience described by students. These findings provide evidence that designing lessons as mathematical stories shows promise and can offer students opportunities to experience mathematics in ways they describe as intriguing and suspenseful.
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